Pneumatically-operated shaft.



P. J. GREBEL.

PNEUMATIOALLY OPERATED SHAFT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-10,1909.

942,065, Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1 AV/ tum m;

P. J. GREBEL. PNEUMATIUALLY OPERATED SHAFT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10,1909.

Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNKTED YEE PATNT @FFKQE.

PAUL J. GREBEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOIR TO MANUFACTURERS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PNEUMATICALLY-OPERATED SHAFT.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I, PAUL J. Gannon, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in PneumaticalIy-Operated Shafts; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object oftbis invention is to afford a countcrshaft adapted to permit the transmission of the drive to be reversed pneumatically and instantaneously; I

It is also an object of the invention to afford a construction in which driving belts to the countershaft run at all times upon loose pulleys and to afford in connection with such loose pulleys pneumaticallyoperated clutches, one member of which comprises the loose pulley and the other member of which comprises a eolnplemental member rigidlysecm'ed on the shaft.

It is also an object of the invention to afford an exceedingly simple, shifting or valve mechanism whereby the ope 'ator may instantmieously bring either -transmission into effective operation.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and more fully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a conntersliaft embodying my invention and illustrating the. connections therefor. Fig. 2 is an enlarged central longitudinal section of one end of the countershaft and illustrating the. pneumatic mechanism and clutch. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail partly in section of the valve actuating mechanism. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragment arr cent 'al section of the valve. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-4) of Fig. 9. Fig. (i is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section illustrating the connection of the pneumatic pipes with the tubular ends of the countcrshaft. Fig. 7 is a section on line 77 of Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the anti-friction bushing for the loose pulley."

.\s shown in said drawings: A, indicates the shaft, which, as shown, is tubular for a Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed February 10, 1909. Serial No. 477,182.

Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

part of its length, each end having an axial ore extending inwardly to the pneumatic actuating means, and opening outwardly tilrrough the side of the shaft, as shown in ltigidly secured on the shaft is a pulley B, which may be, of course, a simple pulley or a step cone pulley, as preferred, and from which the countershaft drives. Rigidly sccured on the shaft on each side of the driv-,

ing ulley B, is an outwardly facing cone friction O, I. Feathered on said shaft beyond but adjacent to the outer face of the cone friction, is a sleeve D, threaded at its inner end, as shown in Fig. 2, and at its outer end affording an integral collar 0!. Fitted on said sleeve is an anti-friction bushing (l', conveniently of bearing bronze or any suitable bearing metal provided with perforations to assist in the lubrication thereof and: secured between the end of .the cone friction O, is a spring (1, which bears against said nut d, and acts normall to force the sleeve out of engagement wit the cone friction.

Rot-atable on the bearin sleeve (1', and between the-washers (l are loose belt pulleys E-E', adapted to engage the respective cone frictions (3-C', and which, of

necessity, being held from lon 'tudinal movement on the sleeves D, move t erewith longitudinally on the shaft when said sleeves are actuate Rigidly secured on the shaft beyond the sleeve D, is a cylinder F, open at its end adacent said sleeve and in which is a piston F, slidable on said shaft and the hub. of which at all times bears against the head or outer end of said sleeve D. As shown, pneumatic packing f, is secured against the piston head on the inner side thereof by means of a jam nut i, which on its inner or hubend is threaded into a suitable recess in the piston,

'therethrough into the cylinder, and as shown,

the ports through said nut are so disposed as to afford a very small clearance on the passage or port through the shaft when the PIS- ton is at the forward limit of its travel, as shown in Fig. 2.

The hub of the cylinder is provlded wlth a recess adapted to contain packing and 1s internally threaded to receive the follower l carried beyond the fulcrum point or pivotal nut f therein,'thereby affording a gland, and rigidly engaged on the shaft and adapted to be setup against said follower nut to hold the same at all times in adjustment 1s a collar 7'. i

A suitable actuating valve is provided whereby the pressure may be admitted to either cylinder from a suitable pressure su ply pipe G, which, of course, may supp y either compressed air or steam for the purpose of actuating either piston. As shown, a

fitting g, is connected in the main supply pipe G, and connected on each branch of the Y, is a piston valve, one of which connects through a suitable pipe g, with the bore in one-end of the counter-shaft, and the other 'q-, connects with'the op osite end thereof, said connection being ma e through a gland g, in each end'of the shaft, which may be of any suitable or desired construction. Each of said valves, as shown, consists of a casing H,- the bottom of which is threaded upon the 1 suitable branch of the Y, and from the side thereon when shi both pressure of the casing extends the pressure pipe g or 9 as the case may be. 7

Above and below the pressure pipe are transverse walls h-h, each apertured to receive therethrough the fluted end 11. of the valve stem it on which, as shown, on the outer side of the, partitions h-Jt', are the valve and-closures la -79, each on the side adjacent the partition provided with suitable packing and adapted to close or-seat tightly ted in either direction. As shown, from the chamber above the parti tion or seat It, said casing is ported to the atmos here. Said stems extend outwardly beyon vided for the respective valves with an outwardly extending rounded head IIII", b"-

neath which engage s rings hh, respectively, which act to hold said stems in position for the closure It, to seat on the partition It, thereby cutting off the ressure from ipes g g, as s 1own in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. It cans are provided for actuating said valves selectively. For this pura frame K, is secured upon with an upwardly directed bracket arm k, on wlnch is onrnaled a plate 12', through the engage toggle bars 10 the respective casings and are protop of which extends a rod [62, whereby said plate may be swung toward or from either valve and extending below the pivot. therefor are downwardly directed arms N-lfi, on which are pivotally connected links k' -k, respectivelywhich at their ends pivotally which are respectively connected at their outer ends with lugs lu"lo, on the ends of said frame. Said links /t-''/;, are of a length together with the toggle bars ]u k that when said plate is shifted in one direction to depress the corresponding valve stem, the pivot connection for said link with the arm for said plate is connection of said link with the toggle bar, in consequence the adjustment is maintained by the outward pressure of the spring on the stem, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

The operation is as follows: By shifting the actuating lever and plate in either direction the appropriate valve stem is depressed, opening the lower valve in the casing and closing the upper and; permitting the pressure to flow through theisupply pipe to the appropriate end of the shaft and thence through the ports in the hub of the piston into the cylinder, forcing the piston and loose pulley longitudinally of the shaft and by engaging the loose pulley upon the conical friction driving the shaft from said pulley. Obviously in actuating one valve to admit the flow therethrough to the relative cylinder the stem of theother valve is released. This, however, is unimportant for in neutral position-the closure h, for that valve is positively seated to close the lower valve in said casing. In consequence, any air in the cylinder not receiving the pressure returns through the pipe and vents to the atmosphere from the upper part of the valve $.casmg. liy shifting the valve in the oppo- T suedn'ectnm the cylinder previously under pressure is vented and the pressure is delivered into the opposite cylinder where the pulley E, U driven, we may assume, by a twist belt or in any suitable manner reversely from the pulley E, is engaged upon the. friction cone and in consequence the drive of the shaft is reversed.

Of course. I am aware that many different forms or types of valves ma be employed for controlling and directing the flow of pressure as desired, and i am aware too, that manydetails of the pneumatic construction in other icspeets may be varied without departing from the principles of this invention. I therefore do not purpose limiting this application for patent otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

- 1. The combination with a shaft axially bored from its ends inwardly and ported through the side thereof, of inwardly facing cylinders open at their inner ends and rigidly secured on the shaft tot receive the pressure the cones complemental therewith, the hubs ofsaid loose pulleys bearing against the pistons and suitable connections to admit pressure into the appropriatecylinder to actuate the piston to force the appropriate loose pulley upon, its cone.

2. The ctnnbination iwith a shaft of a driving pulley thereon, outwardly. facing friction elements'on each side thereof, sleeves slidable on the shaft, loose pulleys journaled on said sleeves, one .adjacent each of said friction elements. inwardly facing cylinders rigidly secured on the shaft, one on the outer side of each loose pulley, pneumatically operated pistons slidable-in the cylinders, one bearing against each sleeve. pressure pipes connected to supply pressure into the cylinders to actuate said pistons and valves connected in the pressure pipes and. adapted to admit pressure to selectively actuate the pistons.

3. In a device of the class described a shaft, cylinders thereon, pistons in said cylinders, sleeves slidable on said shaft against each of which one of the pistons bear, loose pulleys rotatably engaged on the sleeves and slidable therewith, said loose pulleys having friction faces, friction members rigidly secured to the shaft adapted to be engaged by the friction faces of the loose pulleys, a pulley rigidly secured to the shaft and means for admitting pressure into either cylinder.

4. A reversible countershaft embracing a shaft, a driving pulley thereon, outwardly facing friction elements on each side thereof, sleeves on the shaft, one slidable between the driving pulley and each friction element, loose )ulleys journaled on said sleeves and hold rom longitudinal movement relatively of the sleeves and adapted by the sliding of the sleeves to engage the friction elements, and'pneumatically operated pistons slidable on the shaft adapted to adjust the loose pulleys to engage the friction elements.

5. The combination with a shaft axially bored from its ends inwardl and ported through the side thereof, of inwardly facing cylinders open at their inner ends and rigidly secured on the shaft to receive the pressure from the port therein, pistons slidable in said cylinders, a member secured to each piston having radial slots adapted to admit the pressure into the cylinder and to prevent the piston closing the port in the shaft, a fixed pulley on the shaft, fric: tion members on the shaft, pulleys on the shaft having friction faces complemental with the friction members, and suitable connections to admit pressure into said cylinders to actuate the pistons.

(i. Ina device of the class described a shaft having an atrial passage at each end, cylinders on the shaft, one connnumcatlng with each passage, a piston in each cylinder. means secured to each piston to prevent the piston cutting off communication between the shaft, and the respective cylinder, sleeves on the shaft, one actuated.by each piston. a

loose pulley j'ournaled on each sleeve, a friction element for engagement by each pulley,

(a driving pulley on the shaft between the friction'elements, a pressure pipe axially connected with each end of the shaft by means of a gland forming an airtight. swivel connection.

7. In a device of the class described a shaft, a pulley rigidly secured thereon, a friction member rigidly secured. on each side ofthe pulley, a frictionpulley for each friction member adjustable inwardly to engage the same and independently operating pneumatic meansfor adjusting each friction pulley inwardly to engage the. respective friction member.

8. In a device of the class described a shaft, a pulley rigidly secured thereon. a friction member rigidly secured on each side of the pulley, a friction pulley for each friction member adjustable inwardly to engage the same, independently ope 'ating pneumatic means for adjusting each friction pulley inwardly to engage the respective friction member. and springs for forcing each friction pulley to disengage its friction men'iber.

9. In a device of the class described a shaft, :1 drive pulley rigidly secured thereon, friction members rigidly secured on the shaft, one on each side of the drive pulley, pulleys on the shaft adjustable to engage the friction members, anti friction bearing sleeves for the pulleys and sleeves adapted to receive the bearing sleeves and the adjustable pulleys thereon and longitudinally movable on the shaft to adjust the pulleys.

10. In a device of the class described a shaft,a drive )ulley rigidly secured thereon, friction mem ers rigidly secured on the shaft, one on each side of the drive pulley, pulleys on the shaft adjustable to engage the friction members, anti friction bearing sleeves for the alleys, sleeves adapted to receive the bearing sleeves and the adjustable pulleys thereon and longitudinally movable on the shaft to adjust the pulleys, a pnenmatic adjusting mechanism at each end of the shaft for longitudinally moving the appropriate sleeve to adjust. the pulley into engagement with the proper friction member.

11. In a device of the class described a shaft, a rigid pulley thereon, coacting friction elements on the shaft on each side of the pulley, one element rigidly secured on the shaft and the other element adjustable to engage and disengage the rigid element and an independent pneumatically operated mechanism for adjusting each set of friction elements into engagement.

12. In a device of the class described a shaft, a rigid pulley thereon, coacting friction elements on the shaft on each side of the pulley, one element rigidly secured on the shaft and the other element adjustable to enage and disengage the rigid element, an inependent pneumatically operated mechanism for adjusting each set of friction elements into engagement, and mechanism other than the pneumatically operated mechanism for automatically shifting each set of coacting friction elements out of engagement.

13. In a device of the class described a shaft, a stepped pulley rigidly secured thereon, coacting friction elements on the shaft on each side of the pulley, one element of each set being rigid on the shaft and the other element loose on the shaft and adjustable" longitudinally, a cylinder at each end of the shaft, :1 piston in each cylinder adapted to actuate the lon itudinally adjustable element and means i nindependently admitting pressure into the cylinders.

14. In a device of the class described a shaft, a stepped pulley rigidly secured thereon, coactm friction elements on the shaft on each si e of the pulley, one element of each set being rigid on the shaft and the other element loose on the shaft and adjustable longitudinally, a cylinder at each end of the shaft, :1 piston in each cylinder ada ted to actuate the longitudinally adjustable element to enga e the rigid element, means for independent admitting pressure into the cylinders and springs fitting in recesses in one of each pair of coacting friction elements and bearing on the other element of the pair adapted to automatically adjust the loose element longitudinally of the shaft.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. PAUL J. GREBEL.

Witnesses:

- C. W.'HILLs,

LAWRENCE Rmns'mm. 

